2026 Summit Registration Now Open
Take advantage of Early Bird Member pricing available through May 1. Register now to receive the discounted rate of $525 before the price increases to the regular Member rate of $595. Registration closes September 4, 2026.
Public Policy & Advocacy Summit
September 14-16, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
Public Policy & Advocacy Summit - Washington, D.C. | September 14-16, 2026
Join us in Washington, D.C., for the Public Policy & Advocacy Summit, designed to equip and inform Christian education leaders, students, and advocates as they develop a deeper understanding of today’s public policy landscape.
More than a conference, the Summit provides professional learning and leadership development through practical insight, skill building, and collaborative dialogue with peers committed to protecting religious freedom and advancing Christian education.
- Student Track Returns! — Designed to equip the next generation with practical advocacy training, mentoring, and meaningful engagement opportunities.
- Leading Voices in Faith, Law and Culture — Featuring Kristen Waggoner, CEO, Chief Counsel, and President of Alliance Defending Freedom, Sam Allberry, pastor/author/speaker, and more coming soon!
- Timely Policy & Advocacy Sessions — In-depth conversations on the most pressing legislative and cultural issues impacting Christian schools, families, and faith-based institutions.
- Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Symposium — A focused symposium covering current federal scholarship tax credit policy, implementation considerations, and key insights to help school leaders understand how these programs work and what they mean for Christian schools.
- Opening Night Reception & Gala — A memorable semi-formal evening at the Hilton Arlington National Landing, designed for meaningful connection with fellow leaders and featured speakers. As part of the celebration, guests are invited to wear red, white, and blue attire in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
- Immersive Experiences in the Nation's Capital — Experience Washington, D.C., while gaining firsthand perspective on the policy environment shaping our schools and communities.
2026 Speakers
Kristen Waggoner
CEO, President, and Chief Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom
Kristen Waggoner is CEO, president, and chief counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest legal organization advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. Leading a team of more than 450 people across 11 offices worldwide, Waggoner directs ADF’s work on the most consequential legal and cultural issues of our time – advocating for free speech, religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.
Under her leadership – first as head of U.S. litigation and now as CEO – ADF has won 15 cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, including Dobbs, the historic decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Waggoner has personally argued several landmark cases before the Court, including Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative. ADF currently has four cases before the Court, with decisions expected this year.
Waggoner also leads ADF International, which operates in more than 80 countries and has achieved significant success before international tribunals. Current high-profile cases include the defense of British veteran Adam Smith-Connor, Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen, and Canadian advocate “Billboard Chris,” who face government censorship and prosecution for silently praying or speaking truth. The European Court of Human Rights will also soon hear ADFI’s cases challenging the Turkish government’s expulsion of pastors and missionaries without cause.
In recognition of her leadership, the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal awarded Waggoner the 2025 Richard D. McLellan Prize for Advancing Free Speech and Expression. She was also appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve on the advisory board of legal experts to the Religious Liberty Commission. A sought-after speaker, she has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, addressed the United Nations, and regularly appears in national and international media.
Waggoner clerked at the Washington Supreme Court and practiced law for over 15 years at a Seattle-based firm before joining ADF. She is Peer Review Rated AV® Preeminent™ in Martindale-Hubbell and is passionate about defending truth and freedom to ensure human flourishing.
Sam Allberry
Pastor, Author, Speaker
Sam Allberry is the Associate Pastor at Immanuel Nashville. He is the author of various books, including One With My Lord, What God Has to Say About Our Bodies, and Is God Anti-Gay?, and the co-host of the podcast You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors. He is a Fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.
He has written extensively for numerous organizations, including The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, and Living Out.
Hear a clip and audio essay from Sam: 5 Myths about Body Image
Coming Soon
Additional Speakers
Accommodations
Hotel Accommodations
$269 a night
Hilton Arlington National Landing
Arlington, VA 22202
- Nearby airports – Less than one mile from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Complimentary shuttle service to and from DCA, Crystal City Metro station, nearby shopping, restaurants and businesses.
- Three block walk to Crystal City metro station
Track
Student Leadership Track
The PPA Summit Student Track offers high school students the chance to participate in ACSI’s annual Public Policy & Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. Students will gain meaningful exposure to policymaking, engage in leadership development, and grow advocacy skills alongside Christian educators and leaders from across the nation.
Student Track Experiences
Students will participate in a dynamic schedule designed to educate, inspire, and equip them as emerging leaders, including:
- Opening Gala
- Bill Briefings
- Student Breakout Sessions
- Hill Visits & Advocacy Exposure
- National Mall Excursion
Limited to 40 students | $350 per student
Adults registering students for the Student Track are eligible for one discounted adult registration at $350. The discount code will be provided upon completion of student registration.
Previous Summit Speakers & Entertainers
- Dr. Os Guinness, Author
- Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin, Author
- Steve Begoo, BSc PGCE NPQH, Head of Education, Christian Concern UK
- Greg Chafuen, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom's Center for Public Policy
- Valerie Londono, Senior Counsel, Church and Ministry Alliance Deputy Director
- Hannah Ruth Earl, Director of the Center for Faith at the U.S. Department of Education
- Dr. Ben Carson, Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, retired Neurosurgeon, Academic, and Author
- Dr. Carl R. Trueman, Professor, Author, and Theologian
- Selah, Gospel Music Group with 4 million records and 11 GMA Dove Awards
- Barry Black, Ph.D., D.Min, D.D., L.H.D, D.P.S RADMU, USN (Retired), US Senate Chaplain
- Dr. Mark Batterson, Pastor of National Community Church, New York Times Best selling
- Honorable Michele Bachmann, J.D., LL.M, Former United States Representative
- Gregory S. Baylor, Director, Center for Religious Schools, and Senior Counsel, Center for Legislative Advocacy of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)
- Hon. Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
- Dr. Michael Lindsay, President of Taylor University
- Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Missouri)
- Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma)
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
- Hon. Patricia Puertas Rucker, West Virginia State Senator
- John Schilling, former President of American Federation for Children
- Dr. Stanley Carlson-Thies, Founder and Senior Director of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance (IRFA), a division of the Center for Public Justice.
- and many more!
Email lisa_hernandez@acsi.org to learn more.